If you love quick and easy dinners that don’t skimp on flavor, you’re in the right place! My Weight Watchers Taco Soup tastes like tacos, but is healthy and guilt-free! This Instant Pot Tortellini Soup comes together in under half an hour yet tastes like you were cooking all day!
Since everything cooks in just one pot, this cheesy taco pasta recipe is truly the easiest. You’ll have dinner on the table in about half an hour from start to finish! It’s the perfect easy weeknight dinner, so save this recipe for your next Taco Tuesday (or a Frantic Friday).
Although tacos are quick to make, like these chicken tacos, I love that this recipe takes care of itself. Once you get everything started, you can step away to help the kids with their homework, feed the dog, or start a load of laundry.
Plus, you won’t get any complaints about this recipe! Your entire family will gladly devour this meal. I like to serve this dish with an assortment of toppings so everyone can add their own favorite taco toppings. This keeps the build-your-own taco fun going but with less mess. Enjoy more taco flavor in this easy taco bake casserole or lose the taco flavor and try this ground turkey pasta.
What is Cheesy Taco Pasta?
This cheesy taco pasta tastes like classic Hamburger Helper but way better. It starts with basic ingredients: a base of taco meat seasoned with homemade taco seasoning and salsa. The best part is that you cook the pasta shells with the taco meat, so every bite has all the flavors of a taco!
It reminds me a bit of a baked pasta dish, except instead of marinara sauce, the easy taco pasta is held together with salsa and your favorite taco spices. Plus, it’s even easier than baked pasta because it just requires one pot!
You only need one large skillet and a cutting board to chop up your toppings. You don’t need to boil pasta, prepare special sauces, or anything else.
This recipe is the epitome of easy. If you love cream sauce check out this ground turkey alfredo or cheeseburger macaroni casserole in the slow cooker!
Cheesy Taco Pasta Ingredients
Here are the simple ingredients to make this cheesy pasta recipe. Check out the recipe card at the bottom of this blog post for full ingredients.
- Ground turkey – I love using ground turkey as it is lower in fat than ground beef yet high in protein. It absorbs the taco seasonings incredibly well, too.
- Spices: Make your own homemade taco seasoning with salt, black pepper, chili powder, ground cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, and dried oregano.
- Salsa – Feel free to use homemade or your favorite jarred salsa.
- Pasta – I like to use uncooked shells or rotini as they really hold onto the meat, cheese, and toppings well.
- Shredded cheese – Mexican cheese blend is perfect for melting into every bite, but you can use cheddar or whatever your favorite cheese is!
- Favorite toppings – Prepare your favorite toppings like tortilla chips, sour cream, diced onion, mild salsa, olives, hot sauce, diced tomatoes, or chopped cilantro.
How to Make Cheesy Taco Pasta
- Brown the ground turkey: In a large skillet, add ground turkey, salt and pepper. Brown the ground turkey over medium heat until no longer pink. Drain any fat.
- Season the meat: Stir in chili powder, cumin, garlic, onion, and oregano.
- Add the dried pasta: Add the salsa, pasta, and water, and stir well. Press pasta into the water as much as possible. Bring the mixture up to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer, stir, and cover.
- Cook the pasta: Continue cooking for 14-16 minutes, stir half way through cooking time, until the pasta is soft.
- Add the cheese: Turn off the heat and take the skillet off the hot burner. Stir in the cheese.
- Serve the cheesy pasta: Serve hot, and add additional taco toppings if desired.
Tips for Success
- Take the time to brown the ground turkey first. This will give the meat a great texture and keep this dish from being too greasy.
- Prepare a double batch of the seasoning blend to make this easy dinner any night of the week!
- Keep an eye on the pasta. This recipe is best with al dente pasta, and if it cooks too long, it will get soft and soggy.
Recipe Variations
- You can use store-bought taco seasoning mix for this recipe if you’re in a time crunch.
- Feel free to use lean ground beef instead of turkey or try the beef in this cheeseburger macaroni recipe.
- Add a can of black beans for a little extra fiber and to stretch the meat.
- If you have some handy, you can use chicken broth instead of water for a little extra flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is cheesy taco pasta healthy? Made with lean ground turkey, spices, and salsa, the base of this one pot recipe is pretty healthy! This recipe does use pasta, which adds some carbs. To make this a complete meal, consider adding more vegetables like a quick cabbage slaw, air fryer broccoli, or Elotes Mexicanos.
Can you make cheesy taco pasta dairy-free? If you need to avoid dairy for any reason, try using dairy-free cheeses in this recipe for a similar experience. I have yet to try this so let me know if it works! Remember to use vegan sour cream, too.
Can you make cheesy taco pasta gluten-free? Try substituting the uncooked pasta in this recipe for your favorite gluten-free pasta. Adjust your cooking time to make sure you don’t overcook the noodles. I recommend tasting the noodles as you go and removing the pan from the heat as soon as they’re fully cooked.
How to Store & Reheat
How to refrigerate cheesy taco pasta? Add the pasta to your favorite airtight container and cool completely before covering it with the lid. The leftovers will last 3-5 days in the fridge. Store the extra toppings on the side to add them after reheating.
How to keep at room temperature? This recipe must be stored in the refrigerator to stay fresh. If you’re serving it at a party, consider keeping it on a hot plate to hold the temperature above 135 degrees F.
How do you reheat this creamy taco pasta recipe? Take the lid off your meal prep container and pop it in the microwave for 4-5 minutes or until fully cooked. Top your delicious meal with your favorite toppings and enjoy!
Can I Freeze Cheesy Taco Pasta?
How to freeze leftover pasta? If you know you want to freeze your leftovers, be sure to stop cooking when the pasta is al dente to keep your pasta from getting too soggy after thawing. Place any leftover pasta in a freezer-safe container. Allow it to cool in the fridge without the cover on. Once it is properly chilled, add the lid and place it in the freezer. It will last well for about 1-3 months.
How to thaw cheesy taco pasta recipe? Let your container thaw in the refrigerator for 12-24 hours, and then reheat in the microwave for 3-5 minutes. Add your favorite toppings, and you’re good to go!
Try these other Mexican-inspired recipes!
- Stuffed Poblano Peppers
- Easy Cheese Enchiladas with Red Sauce
- Alambre Tacos
- Sopa De Lentejas (Mexican Lentil Soup)
- Mexican Candy Shot
If you’ve tried this cheesy taco pasta recipe, don’t forget to give me a star rating and leave me a comment below in the comment section. I love to hear from people who have made my recipes!
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Cheesy Taco Pasta
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 cup salsa, homemade or jarred
- 8 ounces uncooked pasta
- 2 1/4 cups water
- 1 cup shredded cheese
- Optional toppings: sour cream, salsa, lettuce, avocados, hot sauce, pepperoncinis, tomatoes, chopped cilantro, or tortilla chips
Instructions
- In a deep large skillet, add ground turkey, salt and pepper. Brown the ground turkey over medium heat until no longer pink. Drain any fat.
- Stir in chili powder, cumin, garlic, onion, and oregano.
- Add the salsa, pasta, and water, and stir well. Bring the mixture up to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer, stir, and cover.
- Continue cooking for 14-16 minutes, stir halfway through cooking time, until the pasta is soft.
- Turn off the heat and take the skillet off the hot burner. Stir in the cheese.
- Serve hot, and add additional taco toppings if desired.
Recipe Notes
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- You can use store-bought taco seasoning mix for this recipe if you’re in a time crunch.
-
- Feel free to use lean ground beef instead of turkey.
-
- Add a can of black beans for a little extra fiber and to stretch the meat.
-
- If you have some handy, you can use chicken broth instead of water for a little extra flavor.
- Put pasta in an airtight container and cool completely before covering it with the lid. The leftovers will last 3-5 days in the refrigerator.
Nutrition Information
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